Sundance breakout Josh Wiggins scores the lead in 'Max' -- EXCLUSIVE

Newcomer Josh Wiggins stole scenes from the likes of Aaron Paul and Juliette Lewis in Kat Candler’s family drama Hellionafter being plucked from YouTube obscurity.

Now, the 15-year-old Texas native is set for his first big, starring role in the family adventure Max. Inspired by true events, Max tells the story of a Belgian Shepherd working in Afghanistan alongside Marines. When his handler is killed, the man’s devastated family adopts the dog – erratic and still suffering from the traumas of war – who ends up bonding with and helping their troubled 14-year-old son, Justin (Wiggins).

Remember the Titans director Boaz Yakin has been tapped to bring the story to life for MGM. He and Sheldon Lettich wrote the script, and production is expected to start in May in Charlotte, N.C.

Wiggins signed with UTA prior to the Sundance premiere of Hellion and has already wrapped the Josh Duhamel triller Lost in the Sun. He’s repped by Leverage Management.